The earthquake rattled the capital Dili, sending people running into the streets in panic, but there were no immediate signs of damage, an AFP reporter there witnessed.

The quake struck 163 kilometres northwest of Dili at a depth of more than 400 kilometres at 6.55 pm , the USGS reported.

The tiny nation of East Timor sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where continental plates meet, causing seismic and volcanic activity. -- AFP